Cecil Rhodes

Date of Birth: July 5, 1853

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: March 26, 1902

Biography

Cecil John Rhodes was a British businessman, mining magnate, and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. Born on July 5, 1853, in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, Rhodes was the son of a vicar. He was sent to South Africa at the age of 17 to improve his health and quickly became involved in the diamond trade. In 1888, he co-founded the De Beers Mining Company, which at one point controlled 90% of the world’s diamond production. Rhodes was a fervent believer in British imperialism and sought to expand the British Empire across Africa, famously dreaming of a “Cape to Cairo” railway. His ambitions and policies significantly influenced the geopolitical landscape of southern Africa. Rhodes also founded the Rhodes Scholarship, which enables exceptional students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. He died on March 26, 1902, in Muizenberg, Cape Colony (now South Africa).

5 Interesting Facts about Cecil Rhodes

1. Cecil Rhodes was instrumental in the establishment of Rhodesia, which was named after him; the territory is now known as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

2. He served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896.

3. Rhodes was a major proponent and financier of the British South Africa Company, which aimed to control and colonize central Africa.

4. He established the Rhodes Scholarship in 1902, which is considered one of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programs.

5. Rhodes was known for his controversial and often conflicting views on race and imperialism, which have sparked significant debate and criticism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cecil Rhodes

1. “To be born English is to win first prize in the lottery of life.”

2. “Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first prize in the lottery of life.”

3. “I contend that we are the finest race in the world and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race.”

4. “The real fact is that I could no longer stand their eternal cold mutton.”

5. “We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap labor that is available from the natives of the colonies.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his success, Cecil Rhodes’ net worth was estimated to be approximately £200 million in today’s money, making him one of the wealthiest men of his time.